Fairfield University's Quick Center for the Arts presents a celebration of Afro-Peruvian music and dance with Eva Ayllón and Perú Negro January 29 | Press Releases

"Who knew a showcase of Afro-Peruvian cultural traditions could be so much unadulterated fun ... imbued with theatrical flair and charming comic digressions." - Boston Globe

Image: Peru Nego Grammy® nominated Afro-Peruvian songstress Eva Ayllón joins Perú Negro, described by The New York Times as an "exceptional" company, in celebrating Perú's African heritage in "Festejo," an evening of song, dance and music at Fairfield University's Quick Center for the Arts on Saturday, Jan. 29 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $40, $35, $30. This Arts & Minds presentation is part of Fairfield University's yearlong focus on Global Citizenship.

For thirty years, Ayllón has been selling out theaters, not only in Perú - where she fills a stadium of 30,000 - but in North America as well. She packed Carnegie Hall in 2009. During her years of recording, she has amassed more than twenty albums, including a double Latin Grammy® nomination in 2003 and a double Platinum album in her native Perú. Ayllón, referred to by The Los Angeles Times as "Tina Turner from Perú," began spreading the joy of Black Peruvian music to American audiences with her 2004 release "Eva! Leyenda Peruana" on Times Square Records.

Image: Eva Ayllon It is fitting that Ayllón, who has introduced the elegant and lively genres of the Peruvian coastal plains to the world, perform with Perú Negro, appointed by the Peruvian government as "Cultural Ambassadors of Black Perú. This company of twenty-two Peruvian singers, dancers and musicians, "A nonstop carnival of rhythm" ( The Los Angeles Times ), was formed more than thirty years ago to preserve Perú's African heritage and became the national standard. They have performed all over the world preserving Perú's African heritage in music and dance and have been nominated for three Grammy® awards.

Together, these powerhouse performers embody the rich African and Spanish musical heritage of their South American roots in a high-energy show that is made up of festive and celebratory dances interwoven with vibrant live music and song.

Tickets are available at fairfield.edu/quick or by calling the Box Office at (203) 254-4010. The toll free number is 1-877-ARTS-396. Special offers and discounts are available through the Quick Center's e-mail list. Join by contacting boxoffice@quickcenter.com . Become a fan of the Quick Center for the Arts on Facebook and keep up-to-date with the latest performance news, plus special offers and discounts. Find the Quick Center at www.facebook.com/FairfieldQuickCenter.